Speed is of the essence, Smythe said, in switching over the tax programs and information.

City View was “dealt a bad hand,” he said, and his office will take over the more than 3,000 accounts.

“It’s been a team effort to come to the aid of City View,” Smythe said. “It’s like a NASCAR (vehicle) getting hit in the side. We will get them back on track and move forward.”

Initial tax notices for the ISD had been sent out so the county said they will be handling the delinquency accounts until July.

The biggest challenge will, Smythe said, will be in letting people know where people can mail or drop off payments.

One positive is that City View used the same software as the county, so the switchover should be simple.

While unexpected, the move allows City View residents to pay both county and ISD taxes at one location – something residents have requested for some time.

“We have to do some things from a public relations standpoint. There will be some things to mitigate in the lobby. And for the staff, it’s hard to explain circumstances they (county staff) had no involvement in. The main anxiety will be about where to go,” Smythe said.

Once the agreement is finalized by the District Attorney Civil Division, Smythe said they may be able to begin the switch over in the next couple days.